Like many of you, I’m sure, there is always a never-ending “to do” list of things that need to be done – work for clients, regulatory and compliance demands and plenty of work to be done on building and developing the business. 

It’s so easy to get bogged down in everything that needs to be done, that sometimes we can lose focus on the end goal and just as importantly all that we’ve achieved.

Back in 2017, we set ourselves a series of goals for 2018 and beyond, and developed clear strategies and deadlines for each and every step that was needed. Every member of the team is involved and each and every person knows their responsibilities and their part in achieving what we are setting out to achieve.

And of course, the business is ever-evolving and as we develop our future plans and as new things come along to challenge us all the time, we find our strategies ever-changing. That “to do” list never gets any shorter.

We get so bogged down in everything that we have to get done, that sometimes we can lose focus on all that we’ve achieved. So, in early 2018, we made a conscious decision to not only look at what we had to do, but also to review what had been done.

Our “to do” list is a working document confirming all the things that we might consider looking at, a Continual Improvement Register. Items are investigated and either discounted, or, if we decide to move things forward, they are moved into our strategy planner, with a clear list of actions, responsibilities and timescales. Each and every decision in the business can clearly be seen. We can see each and every step of implementation and can monitor how we remain on track to achieve our goals.

And so, as we head towards the end of 2018, we can take time to look back and review our successes.

• GDPR

• MiFID II

• A strong HR model, including clear job descriptions, recruitment of new staff whose values reflect our own, and development plans for each member of staff in line with their own and the business goals

• Attainment of the BS8577 certification, backed up with increased operational efficiencies, processes and standards

• The start of a complete IT update to reduce risk and increase flexibility

• Award nominations

• Great client testimonials

I am so proud of my team here. They have achieved so much in the last year, ticking so much off the “to do” list – they really do deserve a massive pat on the back.

Nicola Watts APFS Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager, CFP^TM Chartered FSCI - director of Jane Smith Financial Planning

After joining the family business in 2000, Nicola qualified to provide advice in 2001, and has been a director of the business since 2006. Since the retirement of her mother (Jane Smith), Nicola bears sole responsibility for the management of the firm, and the advice provided to clients. Nicola is married to David and has two young children, Emily and Olivia, and Poppy the black labrador.